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Affiliation
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Department of Sociology, Anthropology, and Social Work, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, USA. |
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Abstract
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This study examines the utilization of police service for domestic incidents. Contrary to the popular image of serious violence perpetrated upon a spouse, the data show that most calls involve less serious incidents that are almost as likely to involve cohabitants as married couples. This finding assumes significance because of the small proportion of the cohabiting population to the married population. Other types of relationships that generate calls to the police include, although to a lesser extent, parent-child, boyfriend-girlfriend, and siblings. Explanation for these findings focuses on relationship issues and provides implications for service utilization.
VioLit summary:
OBJECTIVE:
The purpose of this study by Hutchison et al. is to examine family domestic calls received by the police to determine the type of relationship and racial status of couples who obtain police intervention.
METHODOLOGY:
The authors employed a quasi-experimental design in this study. The authors examined each domestic call in a large Southern city over a seventeen month period. In order to gather enough information on calls which resulted in no crime, modified "domestic miscellaneous incident reports" were used. These forms were completed by all officers making domestic calls when no crime was committed. Incidences in this category were not defined as minor. Rather, they were defined by a lack of probable cause. Authors also examined supplement reports made when police officers judged either a misdemeanor or felony occurred as well as arrest reports. These forms catalogued the nature of the domestic relationship, i.e., married, divorced, separated, cohabiting, or former cohabitation. They also recorded the racial status of the couples involved. Simple descriptive statistical techniques were used to analyze the data.
FINDINGS/DISCUSSION:
Overall, the police officers documented over 18,000 calls. A vast majority, 85%, were noncriminal. The remainder involved misdemeanors or felonies. Primary source of these calls were currently married or currently cohabiting couples. Substantially fewer calls involved couples that were divorced/separated, formerly cohabiting, or boyfriend/girlfriend -- with the latter being the most numerous. Eighty percent of these calls involved female victims. The largest proportion of male victims involved noncriminal incidents. Of the criminal cases, most involved young people and cohabiting couples. With regard to racial status, 75% of the calls were made by blacks.
AUTHORS' RECOMMENDATIONS:
The authors' recommended that their study be replicated in other jurisdictions. In addition, they recommended that social service agencies examine if their services are available to all individuals that may need them, especially those involved in cohabiting relationships. The authors based this recommendation on their finding that a large number of calls originated from cohabiting couples. Lastly, the authors emphasized the importance of avoiding arrest as the community's sole and primary response to domestic disturbances.
EVALUATION:
This study will largely be of interest to practitioners and criminal justice researchers. However, family violence researchers will likely find this study interesting as well. It does a good job of documenting some very basic, albeit essential information. While it still needs replication in other jurisdictions, this study will find broad appeal.
(CSPV Abstract - Copyright © 1992-2007 by the Center for the Study and Prevention of Violence, Institute of Behavioral Science, Regents of the University of Colorado)
Adult Violence
Adult Victim
Adult Offender
Adult Female
Adult Male
Domestic Violence Effects
Domestic Violence Intervention
Domestic Violence Offender
Domestic Violence Victim
Police Intervention
Police Response
Law Enforcement Intervention
Law Enforcement Response
Spouse Abuse Intervention
Spouse Abuse Effects
Spouse Abuse Offender
Spouse Abuse Victim
Cohabitation Abuse Effects
Cohabitation Abuse Intervention
Cohabitation Abuse Offender
Cohabitation Abuse Victim
Dating Violence Effects
Dating Violence Intervention
Dating Violence Offender
Dating Violence Victim
Partner Violence
Violence Against Women
Racial Differences
African American Adult
African American Female
African American Male
African American Offender
African American Victim
African American Violence
Language: en |